Paris Saint-Germain defeated Bayern Munich 5–4 in a dramatic nine-goal encounter in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinal at Parc des Princes. Despite falling behind early to a Harry Kane penalty in the 17th minute, PSG fought back through Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s solo effort and a Joao Neves header to take the lead. Bayern equalized through Michael Olise, but Ousmane Dembélé’s penalty restored PSG’s advantage before halftime.

In the second half, PSG extended their dominance as Kvaratskhelia scored again and Dembélé completed his brace to make it 5–2. Bayern responded with goals from Dayot Upamecano, assisted by Joshua Kimmich’s free-kick, and a solo strike from Luis Díaz to narrow the gap to 5–4. However, PSG held firm to secure the win in front of their home crowd.

The nine-goal contest set a new record for the highest-scoring single leg in a Champions League semifinal, marking a historic night for the French club.

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for the reopening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing the need to ensure freedom of navigation without tolls or fees. Speaking at a joint press conference in Athens with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Macron said the goal is to fully reopen the strait within the coming days or weeks under international law to help stabilize the situation.

His remarks came a day after Patrick Pouyanné, CEO of French energy giant TotalEnergies, warned that a prolonged conflict with Iran could trigger a global energy shortage. Pouyanné cautioned that if the situation continues for another two or three months, the world could face a severe energy crisis already affecting Asian countries.

He further noted that halting 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas supply would have catastrophic consequences, underscoring the urgency of restoring stability in the region.

French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran has disrupted the global economy. Speaking on the sidelines of a European Union summit in Cyprus, he emphasized that restoring stability in the Middle East as quickly as possible is essential for the interests of all nations. Macron noted that the summit would also include discussions with Middle Eastern leaders.

According to the report, the United States has imposed blockades on the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian ports, while Iran remains determined to maintain full control and surveillance over the strategic waterway. These developments have triggered one of the most severe energy crises in decades, affecting global markets and economic confidence.

The situation underscores the growing urgency for diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region, as continued instability threatens both energy supplies and broader economic recovery.

Lebanese-origin French artist Ali Cherri has filed a war crimes complaint in France against Israel, following the 2024 airstrike in Beirut that killed his parents. Cherri stated that his father Mahmoud Cherri and mother Nadra Hayek were civilians, and he urged France’s war crimes unit to investigate the attack and bring those responsible to justice.

Israel has said its airstrikes in the Lebanese capital targeted facilities used by the armed group Hezbollah. However, international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, reviewed Cherri’s case and reported finding no evidence of military targets in or near the building where his parents lived.

Cherri’s lawyer, Clémence Bectarte, told Al Jazeera that under French law, the Israeli strike could be considered a war crime. She added that Israel’s military and political authorities were justifying the attacks under the pretext of fighting Hezbollah, but international law requires strict adherence to rules governing military conduct.

French Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin has said that European countries including Belgium, the Netherlands, and France possess mine-clearing capabilities that could help secure navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. In an interview with TF1 television, she stated that European nations are capable of escorting ships passing through this strategic waterway. She added that the issue would be raised at a meeting scheduled in Paris on Friday, aimed at demonstrating that U.S. allies are prepared to support free maritime movement through the strait.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical maritime routes, through which nearly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies are transported. The French minister’s remarks highlight ongoing international attention to maintaining security and freedom of navigation in this vital corridor.

The Paris meeting is expected to focus on coordination among allied nations to ensure safe passage for commercial vessels, reflecting broader efforts to safeguard global energy supply lines.

A gathering of parents and community members was held in Paris to promote Islamic education and awareness among the Bangladeshi diaspora in France. The event took place on Saturday at the second campus of the Multi Cultural (MC) Institute in the Overvilliers area, with the institute’s president and founding principal, Professor Badrul Bin Harun, presiding over the session.

Speakers at the meeting highlighted the MC Institute’s mission to foster moral and humanitarian values among expatriate children. Prominent community figures, educators, social workers, and professionals attended, emphasizing the importance of ethical education for the younger generation. Participants also expressed support for expanding the institute’s activities and called for collective cooperation to strengthen its programs.

During a fundraising segment, attendees pledged financial assistance for the institute’s development. The event concluded in a cordial atmosphere, with organizers expressing gratitude to guests and voicing optimism about conducting larger-scale initiatives in the future.

Paris Saint-Germain defeated Liverpool 2-0 in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal, played at Parc des Princes on April 9, 2026. The French side controlled the match from start to finish, leaving Arne Slot’s team struggling to find rhythm. Desire Doue opened the scoring in the 11th minute after Ousmane Dembele’s initial effort was blocked. Despite several chances, PSG could not extend their lead before halftime as Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili made key saves.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with PSG maintaining attacking pressure. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia doubled the lead in the 65th minute from a precise pass by Joao Neves, dribbling past defenders and the goalkeeper to score a standout goal. PSG held 74 percent possession and took 18 shots, six on target, while Liverpool managed only three attempts without a single shot on goal. A penalty decision for PSG was overturned after VAR review.

This defeat marked Liverpool’s third consecutive loss across all competitions. They now face a tough challenge in the return leg at Anfield next Tuesday.

French President Emmanuel Macron stated that including Lebanon in the ceasefire agreement is essential for establishing lasting and credible peace in the Middle East. According to Al Jazeera, Macron told Iranian and US leaders that the ceasefire was the best possible decision and that Lebanon’s inclusion represented the most effective path toward peace.

He emphasized that this inclusion is a necessary condition for making the ceasefire credible and sustainable. Macron also said that any final agreement should address Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, its regional policies, and issues related to navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Macron has long opposed military action against Iran and previously described proposals for joint military operations to open the Strait of Hormuz as unrealistic.

French President Emmanuel Macron has welcomed the recently announced ceasefire between the United States and Iran, describing it as a very positive step. However, he cautioned that the situation in Lebanon remains extremely critical and urged that the country be included within the scope of the ceasefire agreement.

According to an Al Jazeera report cited in the source, Macron has long emphasized the importance of ending conflict in Lebanon and has repeatedly called for preventing the nation from sliding further into violence and instability. He stated that achieving lasting peace in the Middle East requires a comprehensive approach that considers all regional conflicts.

Macron’s remarks reflect France’s continued diplomatic engagement in Middle Eastern stability and its concern over Lebanon’s fragile security environment amid broader regional tensions.

France has finalized the sale of its remaining gold holdings stored at the U.S. Federal Reserve, completing a long-term initiative to repatriate and modernize its gold reserves. The Banque de France earned nearly 13 billion euros, or about $15 billion, after upgrading 129 tonnes of gold between July 2025 and January 2026 and replacing them with new, compliant bars now stored in Paris. The central bank stated that the move was a practical financial decision, not a political one.

By consolidating its reserves in Paris and adopting modern-standard bars, France has made its gold easier to manage and trade internationally. The transaction, which represented about 5 percent of France’s total 2,437-tonne reserve, took advantage of high gold prices and favorable market conditions. Instead of refining and transporting the old bars, the bank purchased equivalent new gold in Europe, maintaining the overall reserve size.

According to Reuters, the Banque de France reported 11 billion euros in exceptional foreign exchange income in 2025, with total gains reaching nearly 13 billion euros after 2026 transactions. The bank plans to upgrade an additional 134 tonnes of gold to international standards by 2028.

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for the formation of an 'Alliance of Freedom' that would remain independent from the influence of the United States and China. Speaking at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, Macron emphasized the need for a coalition based on shared commitments to international law, democracy, and climate action. He mentioned potential participation from countries such as South Korea, Japan, Brazil, India, Australia, and Canada.

Macron criticized overreliance on military power and questioned the role of the United States in West Asia, arguing that lasting solutions cannot be achieved solely through bombings or military operations. His remarks came as France opposed a United Nations Security Council proposal authorizing possible military action against Iran, leading to tensions with Israel after Paris declined to support the US-Israeli stance.

Analysts cited in the report view Macron’s position as an attempt to establish a new balance in global politics, enabling middle powers to assert greater strategic autonomy.

France has announced that it will not provide any offensive weapons to Israel, citing the ongoing tensions surrounding Iran. The statement was reported by PressTV on Sunday. French Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin clarified in a social media post that France is not supplying arms to Israel. She explained that France has only authorized the sale of certain components used in air defense systems, such as projectiles for the Iron Dome, and some equipment also used by the French armed forces.

A few days earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that France would not join any aggression against Iran on behalf of the United States or Israel. The announcement underscores France’s cautious stance in the escalating regional situation.

The decision reflects France’s effort to maintain a balanced position in the Middle East while avoiding direct involvement in potential military confrontations linked to Iran.

French President Emmanuel Macron stated that war or military strikes cannot provide a lasting solution to Iran’s nuclear issue. Speaking during his visit to South Korea, Macron emphasized that military action by the United States or Israel would not permanently resolve the crisis and instead called for diplomatic engagement.

He warned that without a clear framework for diplomatic and technical discussions, the situation could deteriorate again within months or years. Macron also dismissed proposals for a military operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as unrealistic, citing the high risks involved. He noted that such actions would expose vessels in the area to threats from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, which possesses ballistic missiles and significant military capabilities.

Macron’s remarks highlight France’s continued preference for negotiation over confrontation in addressing tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear program and regional security.

French President Emmanuel Macron sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump for comments Trump made about Macron’s wife during a private luncheon in Washington. Speaking to reporters in South Korea on Thursday, Macron described the remarks as “neither refined nor dignified” and said they were not worth responding to, signaling his displeasure.

A White House video showed Trump mocking Macron and his wife Brigitte’s French accent and making sarcastic references to a past incident, claiming she treated him poorly. The comments sparked widespread reaction in France, where political leaders denounced Trump’s behavior as unacceptable. National Assembly Speaker Yaël Braun-Pivet called the remarks undignified and irresponsible given the gravity of global affairs.

The controversy emerged amid rising international tensions over Iran and ongoing discussions about NATO’s role, adding further strain to diplomatic discourse between the allies.

U.S. President Donald Trump has accused France of closing its airspace to American military aircraft bound for Israel. According to an Al Jazeera report on March 31, Trump stated on social media that France acted in a 'very uncooperative' manner by denying access at a time when a U.S. operation targeting a senior Iranian official was underway.

Reuters earlier reported that France’s refusal occurred over the weekend, marking its first such action since the start of the ongoing conflict involving Iran. The report also noted that Spain had previously taken a similar stance. Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles announced on March 30 that Spain would not allow its airspace or military bases to be used for any Iran-related military operations.

Reuters added that the Spanish decision means U.S. military aircraft heading to the Middle East must now avoid Spanish airspace, though exceptions may apply in emergencies. Spain’s finance minister said the move aligns with the government’s policy of not supporting or participating in a war deemed unilateral and contrary to international law.